William Shakespeare: King Henry VI, Third Part

ACT V. 5. SCENE V. Another part of the Field.

[Flourish. Enter KING EDWARD, CLARENCE, GLOSTER, and Forces;
With QUEEN MARGARET, OXFORD, and SOMERSET, as prisoners.]

KING EDWARD.
Now, here a period of tumultuous broils.
Away with Oxford to Hames Castle straight;
For Somerset, off with his guilty head.
Go, bear them hence; I will not hear them speak.

OXFORD.
For my part, I'll not trouble thee with words.

SOMERSET.
Nor I, but stoop with patience to my fortune.

[Exeunt Oxford and Somerset, guarded.]

QUEEN MARGARET.
So part we sadly in this troublous world,
To meet with joy in sweet Jerusalem.

KING EDWARD.
Is proclamation made that who finds Edward
Shall have a high reward, and he his life?

GLOSTER.
It is; and lo, where youthful Edward comes!

[Enter soldiers with PRINCE EDWARD.]

KING EDWARD.
Bring forth the gallant; let us hear him speak.
What! can so young a man begin to prick?--
Edward, what satisfaction canst thou make
For bearing arms, for stirring up my subjects,
And all the trouble thou hast turn'd me to?

PRINCE.
Speak like a subject, proud, ambitious York!
Suppose that I am now my father's mouth;
Resign thy chair, and where I stand kneel thou,
Whilst I propose the selfsame words to thee
Which, traitor, thou wouldst have me answer to.

QUEEN MARGARET.
Ah, thy father had been so resolv'd!

GLOSTER.
That you might still have worn the petticoat,
And ne'er have stol'n the breech from Lancaster.

PRINCE.
Let Aesop fable in a winter's night;
His currish riddle sorts not with this place.

GLOSTER.
By heaven, brat, I'll plague you for that word.

QUEEN MARGARET.
Ay, thou wast born to be a plague to men.